Winter wheels - what's your setup? | FerrariChat
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Winter wheels - what's your setup?

Discussion in '308/328' started by gdl203, Nov 22, 2023.

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What's your winter wheel setup?

  1. I have a second set of wheels -- they're original Ferrari too

    2 vote(s)
    8.3%

  2. I have a second set of wheels -- they're aftermarket

    2 vote(s)
    8.3%

  3. I don't have a second set of wheels -- I use all-season, no summer tires

    3 vote(s)
    12.5%

  4. Winter?? What is that? No winter tires needed where I live

    2 vote(s)
    8.3%

  5. Winter tires are a neo-capitalist conspiracy. Drive your summer tires in 15F and be free !

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. My car is stored during the winter so no need for that

    14 vote(s)
    58.3%

  7. None of these apply to me... let me explain...

    1 vote(s)
    4.2%
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  1. gdl203

    gdl203 Formula Junior
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    #1 gdl203, Nov 22, 2023
    This is my first winter with my 308 and the Toyo R1R on it might get a bit scary as the temps continue to dip. I think it's a bit late this year to get a winter tire setup but I'm considering that for next year. So I'm curious...

    What does everyone do for winter tires? Do you have a set of wheels mounted with winter/all-season and another set with summer tires?

    If you have a second set of wheels, did you buy original OEM wheels or aftermarket? What's your preferred aftermarket 16" wheel out there? Superformance?
     
  2. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    #2 ragtop1, Nov 23, 2023
    I stop driving my 308 as soon as the salt is dumped on the roads. Usually mid December.

    You do have me thinking of changing tires for winter storage.
    I have a set of TRX wheels and tires sitting on a rack. I should swap out my 16" regular set so they don't develop flat spots from sitting on the cold concrete floor. ;)
     
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  3. godabitibi

    godabitibi F1 Veteran

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    #3 godabitibi, Nov 23, 2023
    Seriously in winter in New York
     
  4. gdl203

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    #4 gdl203, Nov 23, 2023
    There are plenty of colder days with no salt or snow on road in the NY area. As long as the tires are appropriate for the weather, why not drive ?
     
  5. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #5 Glassman, Nov 23, 2023
    Well.............because it's cold out? It's 27 degrees out right now in Montana and snowing, my car is in its heated garage for the next 6 months. I don't even drive the car in the rain or wind!!!!!!
     
  6. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #6 GordonC, Nov 23, 2023
    2 years ago forum member Brian Whalen, forum name Dr. Scientist, got national attention when he drove his 308 to the Arctic Circle - even got a Road & Track story: Yes, You Can Drive a Ferrari 308 to the Arctic Ocean and Back (roadandtrack.com) His Instagram page is here DrScientist (@briansquestionabledecisions) • Instagram photos and videos.

    At various points his car (with ski rack) was spotted in Idaho, Jackson Hole WY, and last winter was spotted in Revelstoke, British Columbia, so he's still getting around in winter. In one of his posts here he mentioned that he had to go to gravel rally tires to get a suitable diameter (slightly more ground clearance).

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  7. gdl203

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    #7 gdl203, Nov 23, 2023
    The
    Indeed. My friend ran into him in Jackson Hole at the time. Super inspiring to me. I love the idea of taking off on a long road trip like that.

    Without going all the way to driving in snow and icy roads like Brian, I do like the idea of taking the car on drives as often as possible, and through the winter season too (avoiding snow, ice and salt).

    unfortunately, my summer tires will prevent me from doing much below 35 or so, but I’m definitely changing that for next year. I’ll have another set of wheels/tires to put on when we get below 45.

    For anyone with experience with aftermarket wheels, are the Superformance wheels the only game in town for Ferrari style wheels? Any other good/better options?
     
  8. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    #8 GordonC, Nov 23, 2023
    The Superformance 16" staggered wheels are the most affordable option, there are others with stock and custom configurations from HRE, NTM, that are significantly more expensive. I have a set of 16" staggered BBS E50 gold mesh wheels which were US dealer options in the early 80s, they cost me ~$1200 10 years ago, so occasionally something like those can be found

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  9. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    #9 ginoBBi512, Nov 24, 2023
    I dont have this problem....lol

    G
     
  10. Vonbarron

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    #10 Vonbarron, Nov 24, 2023
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  11. E-Dino

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    #11 E-Dino, Nov 25, 2023
    My original 14s with old sumitomo tires have been stored for years in the most disrespectful way since I bought the 16 inch replacement. If I could find a decent 14 inch tire I thought it would be good to have a winter/summer setup (although not really needed here in SoCal). But then I like the look of the bigger rims, so it never gets done.
     
  12. Sergio Tavares

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    #12 Sergio Tavares, Nov 25, 2023
    Your profile says San Diego.
    Winter tires in SD? Seriously ...
     
  13. gdl203

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    #13 gdl203, Nov 25, 2023
    I actually really like the idea of having different diameter wheels to change up the car’s feel a bit as well. But I’m wondering: would there be an alignment issue swapping between 14 and 16” wheels like that?
     
  14. gdl203

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    #14 gdl203, Nov 25, 2023
  15. ragtop1

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    #15 ragtop1, Nov 26, 2023
    I'm guessing yes. Simply because the 328's had corrosion protection?
     
  16. Vonbarron

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    #16 Vonbarron, Nov 26, 2023
    Car was originally in New York
     
  17. E-Dino

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    #17 E-Dino, Nov 26, 2023
    There are mountains around here. But it is not like I go up there in the winter ha ha. No, the issue is more that I have Hankook Venus tires on the 16s that are more AX tires (which I have only raced a few times) and either I scrap them and put better tires on the 16s or find a good all-season for the 14s and switch back and forth. This is all bla bla bla anyway because first I need get the beast back on the road. Belts, tensioners and carb kits just came in from UK so now I have no excuse other than getting these holiday guests out of the house.
     
  18. gdl203

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    #18 gdl203, Dec 11, 2023
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2023
    Ended up getting a set of wheels for Superformance and Conti extreme contact DWS 06+ for the Dec-April months.

    I’ve only ever driven my 308 with the R1R summer tires so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect or how different the car would feel. Well, the difference in the first two drives has been quite shocking, really. Makes me appreciate the tremendous grip of the R1R better (although parallel parking is less painful with the all-season tires ;) ).

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  19. GordonC

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    #19 GordonC, Dec 11, 2023
    Remember that many brand new fresh tires have a slippery mold release compound coating them, and until that coating wears off after a few hundred miles of normal driving the tires will feel very different - less precise, less grip/traction. Give them a chance to 'break in' before finalizing your opinion of them!

    Gordon
     
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  20. gdl203

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    #20 gdl203, Dec 11, 2023
    Good point - the tire guy also mentioned that. I'm hoping they get better with wear. Those and the Michelin version were the best reviewed/rates all-season tires for these sizes, so I'm guessing that they will indeed feel better once the coating wears off. Right now, they feel like playing basketball in loafers ;)
     
  21. gdl203

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    #21 gdl203, Dec 17, 2023
    they’re already getting much better after about 100 miles. Either or that or I’m getting used to driving with less grip ;)

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  22. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    #22 ragtop1, Dec 17, 2023
    I like your fog/driving lights. :)
     
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  23. gdl203

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    #23 gdl203, Dec 17, 2023
    I keep going back and forth on doubling them or not. Maybe too GTO wannabe ?
     
  24. ragtop1

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    #24 ragtop1, Dec 17, 2023
    Are they LED? I'd be afraid of the load on the electrical system
     
  25. speedcat

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    #25 speedcat, Dec 17, 2023
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